JNU professor arrested for sexual misconduct

new delhi — Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Professor Atul Johri was arrested on Tuesday over allegations of sexual misconduct, a police officer said.

“He has been arrested and is being produced in the Patiala House court,” Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Chaudhary said.

Police has registered eight FIRs against Johri on the separate complaints of nine students who alleged that he sexually harassed them in School of Life Sciences lab.

Earlier in the day, Johri was detained for questioning.

“Johri’s statement during questioning in eight FIRs and similar complaints by other students were video recorded,” a senior police officer said.

Chaudhary said: “We have recorded the statements of the complainants. A few more female students have approached the police and levelled similar allegations against Johri. They are being examined.

“Legal action will be initiated. The investigation is being closely monitored by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Monika Bhardwaj.”

The arrest came as JNU students

The professor often makes sexually-coloured remarks, open demands for sex and comments on the figure of almost every girl. If a girl objects, he holds a grudge against her.” Women students, Jawaharlal Nehru University

continued to protest over the delay in taking action against the professor.

In a statement on Thursday, the women students had said: “The professor often makes sexually-coloured remarks, open demands for sex and comments on the figure of almost every girl. If a girl objects, he holds a grudge against her.”

The JNU professor, however, said, that he was being targeted by the Left-leaning students.

“The girls, who have levelled the allegations against me, had received a mail from me on February 27 regarding their irregular attendance in the lab. So, they are targeting me,” he had said on Thursday. — IANS, PTI